On January 27, 2014, Governor Steve Beshear announced the launch of WorkSmart Kentucky, an initiative aimed at matching employers with their workforce needs. WorkSmart Kentucky is comprised of professionals from the state’s Cabinet for Economic Development, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Labor Cabinet, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Governor Beshear hopes the program will help “maintain the Commonwealth as a key player in the global economy for years to come.” As employers know, qualified workforces are the essential factor for success. More >

Last week, the Federal Government entered into its first partial shutdown in over seventeen years. Federal civilian workers woke up on Tuesday to an unclear future; over 800,000 were sent home until further notice on unpaid furlough. In the event the Government cannot come to an agreement with regard to the debt ceiling in the next 10 days, there may be widespread economic ramifications for nearly every employer. In the meantime, the partial Government shutdown is resulting in inconveniences for those in the private sector.